Mafara Hobson, a spokeswoman with the mayor's office, also confirmed that a female resident who was staying at the shelter had sent a letter to Fenty complaining about conditions at the Family Emergency Shelter.

Families First has an almost $3 million contract to operate the shelter on the D.C. General campus, as well as the New Beginnings emergency transition shelter on Park Road NW, according to the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness.